– During an interview you stated that it was the USA that started the dialogue between the ANC and the opposition. However the US diplomatic correspondence showed their country ant the US ambassador to Armenia do not have friendly attitude towards the ANC and its leader Levon Ter-Petrosyan. Maybe you didn’t’ take into account all the factors and details?
– The US ambassador may have a conversation with the most hated and not trusted people. This is how the US system functions. The ANC in its turn is a very complex system; there are various people and powers in the congress. It is evident that the USA used that tool and has an intention to use any tool in Armenia. They reached that level of flexibility irrespective of their attitude.
– Last week you stated the ANC lost confidence among people. Why do you think so?
– People do not have confidence towards any power. People are in the condition of inner riot. That is to say, as in many cases of the world the same situation is observed in our country as well. The thing is that we are very little, but the players are powerful. If any external power tries to use that situation, or in case an inner power takes a careless step, the riot may break out.
– Is it possible that the ANC is the power that can gather the people around it?
– I have a special opinion about those political powers-they are not able to overcome the old concept. But the ANC is in a more favorable condition since it had two other sector besides the political one: civil and social. The quick comprehension of the realities will have various interpretations. The political powers will face facts about which they didn’t have any idea before. Who will understand more quickly what’s going on and what steps will take is the most important issue in Armenia now. My hope is the new political generation. I don’t want to mention any names, since they do not represent any system yet. The thing is that the political field is in the formation process. And it is a fundamental issue for Armenia how long it will take.
– Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to Armenia gave a reason to various comments. Some people claim that this pursues pre-electoral objectives, since Sarkozy wants to have the support of the Armenian community in France. According to another viewpoint the visit of the President of France to Armenia and to other countries in the region mark the new stage of the activities of the Euro Union.
– The world is in distress now. Nobody can predict the level of the crisis. They call it economic crisis, but the world is in a general crisis and it tends to deepen. In these circumstances the great countries of the world make much effort to create additional opportunities. The competition is strong and our region is very important. Armenia is the key country in the region. To put it in other words, one who can rule Armenia can rule the region.
– Why is Armenia so important in the region? What is about Georgia and Azerbaijan?
– Georgia has already stated that it has entered the western system that arises strong complaints in Russia. In fact Azerbaijan has nothing but a leader. The government of the country keeps the in the situation of confrontation by means of various manipulations. But it is a country with different nations, religions and political powers. World players may penetrate in there at any time. And a lot depends on Armenia in this case. Armenia is a poor target, that didn’t learn anything from the past. But everybody has a sense of balance here. And if Armenia in this competition takes somebody’s part, it is one situation, and if it is an independent figure, it is another situation. But Armenia is far from being independent. Now we live a very important period, the situation is no different from the eve of 1915. I don’t say that we face the same danger, but the dangers are enormous. Let’s imagine that the world financial crisis becomes economic, which is quite possible. Many countries may appear in collapse which implies social revolutions, riots etc. In this case we don’t know what power will be the strongest and what reality we will face. Our system of defense is based only on the balance of the world’s strong powers. But we have the potential to become strong and correct.
– How do you imagine it?
– If we are more literate, we will have to improve our relations with Iran, Iran is quite strong. No doubt, the country has it issues, but they are milder than in other countries of the world. We need another level of cooperation with Iran.
– What should Armenia do in this case?
– We should have a formula of strategic dialogue with Iran. Iran sees its role and significance in the world very well. There is no issue in the world that is not related to Iran. It is very important that Iran is a Muslim country, since one of the world issues is the religious issue. The relations between Armenia and Iran are classic, just like they should be between different religions. We should deepen these relations filling them with various dialogues.
– Deepening the relations with Iran means to go against the West. Western countries struggle against Iran, and sometimes reproach Armenia because of the relations with Iran.
– It is the chitchatting West that has issues with Iran. In military perspectives Iran is a very important figure and wants to establish dialogue. Iran is the most unpredictable and safe countries of the world. It is a system with different philosophy. It is considered a challenge today, but it may be considered as safety tomorrow. We are very important for each other.
– Is Sarkozy’s visit conditioned only by the role and significance of Armenia in the region?
– Sarkozy visited an important region and tried to solve some issues as Europe wishes. No issue may be solved by a single visit, but we will see in the future.
– Is Armenia able or ready to satisfy claims of Europe?
– Armenia does not exist as a figure. It is a game field, where different powers play. Armenia doesn’t have its own will, organization, purpose.
– You mean to what extent Russia may concede to the west here? You mean the Armenia is not an independent figure and cannot accept the West as it is or as Armenia wishes?
– In fact there are three players, you are right. The USA plays together with Britain very often, Europe and Russia. But if we talk honestly, the first enemy for us is we ourselves. All the rest may be considered mild rivals. Who hinders Sarkozy , a strong figure, to do what he wants here? The answer is- the rest of the players. Russia has made a few statements concerning Armenia recently, that is to say, has published a few letters expressing their will. They say that there is a vital territory for Russia that adversary powers who want to see Russia in unfavorable conditions took from them. Russia wants to regain its loss. So the territory becomes vital for the USA, Europe, Russia and China.
– Does the competition tend to become stronger by the Putin’s return? There is an opinion that Medvedev is a milder player.
– It will be more correct, if the countries are governed by general commanders than presidents elected by the nation. From this viewpoint Russia increases is adequacy.
– How can Putin’s return influence on the inner political situation. They say Robert Kocharyan may act more actively and Gagik Tsarukyan may strengthen its positions.
– The external policy is way more complicated than people can imagine. If we read closely the massages from Russia, we will reveal the complexity of their policy. I don’t want to mention any names, since they may be the names of such figures and factions who will be satisfied if they take their part and disappear. In case RA’s select society fails to realize its modernization in very short terms, it will become a part of the situation.